General Care Discussion :: General Tank question

[germanrican]

So I have this great 40 gallon tank. Says it's meant for reptiles. I liked this tank because of the dimensions and the mesh top that is included, it seems so perfect. I asked the pet shop if this tank is OK to put water in because I have a baby Red Eared Slider, and they said it should be fine.
The more I read on these forms, the more I realize that pet shops don't always know too much about what they sell.

Does anyone think it's a bad idea to fill it up more than half way with water? I've had it for a month and a half filled up half way with no problems, but as my baby res grows, I figure i'll raise the water level to 3/4 as he'll probably want more swimming depth.

[Cim*Forever]

As much as I would love to say yes, I know that with the reptile tanks it says specifically that they are not intended to hold water. I think the brand I bought was called a critter cage. Its a very attractive 'tank' to purchase as it does come with the mesh top. It isn't, however, meant for aquarium use so I would recommend not filling it full. The difference between 20 and 40 gallons all over ones floor is quite remarkable and id be afraid of water damage if the tank should randomly burst, and because it is not recommended to be filled, insurance probably would say tough luck.

Hope this doesn't discourage you too much.

[germanrican]

I don't plan to fill it all the way, but what about 3/4 of the way? Think even that's asking a lot of the stress out of it?

[Tenodera]

Can you post a picture of the tank?

Well as the baby grows you can just replace his tank with a bigger/better aquarium.

[TheComputerGremlin]

If you know what brand the tank is, you can contact the company with the question. I agree that insurance would probably not pay for a flood you cause, so maybe the first time you try filling it all up, do it outside!

[Tenodera]

That may not work, since those terrariums have thinner glass than standard aquariums and gallons of water is pretty heavy. It might take a few weeks or months for it to break...

[megcornell]

It's probably labeled as a "terrarium" no? That's what most of the reptile cages in my local petstore are called. And they aren't made for holding water. So, I personally wouldn't risk it.
If it were me, I'd return it to the petstore citing that they sold it under false info and use the store credit to get a true aquarium.

[germanrican]

It was labeled 'Critter cage' i think it was by "All living things"

I just noticed a yellow sticker on the bottom of the tank, it reads "Filling more than half full with water may cause top to warp critter cage"

[Cim*Forever]

Again, I agree with meg and Tendora. The glass won't just explode with first filling of water, after time the stress will be too much and it will be devastating to find your tank broken... And like meg said, I would return it to the pet store and get an actual aquarium (thats what I did when I bought my critter cage)

[marisa]

Looks like you found the answer as to whether or not to use it. Take it back and get a tank that's meant to hold water.